237 episodes
Who Am I Really? Damon L. Davis
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- Education
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5.0 • 12 Ratings
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Adoptees telling their own stories of life in adoption, their search for their birth family, and how their reunion attempt turned out. Stories that make you laugh, cry, or simply say "wow".
This podcast has two purposes:
1) To help you explore your own feelings about your adoption, accept your desire understand your own personal history, and decide for yourself whether reunification with your biological relatives is right for you. It will help you understand how others have dealt with issues related to protecting the feelings of their adopted families who may be supportive of your search, or question your motives and present challenges.
2) For non-adoptees, this podcast will help you understand some of what is in the minds of your friends, family members, or others who are adopted. Perhaps you had questions for them but you didn’t know if you should ask.
The stories will make you smile or bring you to tears, but they’re all true as told by the people who lived them. In them, I hope you’ll find something that inspires you, validates your feelings about wanting to search, or motivates you to have the strength along your journey to learn “Who Am I Really?”
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226 - The First Free Man Hug
Brad, from McKinney, Texas, just outside of Dallas grew up thinking something was off in his family. But Brad internalized his differences from his parents as his own inability to adapt to their personality traits and abilities.
As an adult DNA testing revealed that something far more foundational to his being was the reason for their differences. The revelation set off a series of forced confrontations, unexpected sibling introductions, and being face to face with an incarcerated man Brad had no intention of bonding with... until he did.
Make sure you to listen until the end to hear how Brad's paternal reunion played out. It is heartwarming for sure.
This is Brad's journey.
Who Am I Really?
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227 - I Knew She Never Forgot Me
Jane, from outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up knowing she was adopted, comfortable with the fact, and even knowing her birth name from a young age.
After her adoptive parents passed away, Jane obtained as much identifying information as possible and submitted two DNA tests. The amalgamation of resources all provided supporting clues to her maternal and paternal sides.
In reunion, Jane found a man who didn't even know she existed, but wanted to get as much information about what transpired behind his back when he was a teenager as possible.
Listen at the end for the touching moment where Jane took her birth father to a special place.
This is Jane's journey.
Who Am I Really?
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228 - You Should Be Grateful
Angela, from Seattle Washington, grew up in a home full of adoptees whose adoptions were prioritized because of perceived medical needs, including her own. Angela pursued reunion, expecting she would search for and find her birth mother and they would look just the like,
Instead, Angela first found a man who was loved by his community and when she appeared there in his town where she was born, everyone knew exactly who she was because of her close. paternal resemblance.
Angela's maternal reunion started with a jarring introduction that initiated with what she thought would be a reunion rejection, but eventually evolved into a maternal connection. Angela is the author of "You Should Be Grateful: Stories of race, Identity, and Transracial Adoption".
AngelaTucker.com
This is Angela's journey.Who Am I Really?
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229 - So Many Blessings in the Darkness
Monica, from outside of Sacramento, California, shares her double story as an adoptee and a birth mother.
When Monica was a kid getting dumped by her adoptive mother sent her down a path of bad-girl attention seeking that, put her in dangerous situations.
In reunion she discovered her heritage is tied to native people of North America and that her instinct to search was well-timed because her passionate drive was matched by someone else very important to Monica who was looking for her too.
As an adoptee, Monica holds a unique perspective that helped her prepare for one of the most pivotal moments in her life.
Trigger warning: Around 20 minutes into the episode Monica discusses a violent act inflicted against her.
This is Monica's journey.
MonicaHall.com
Who Am I Really?
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230 - The Goodness Far Outweighs the Sadness
Doris, who lives between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, California, was adopted after her adoptive mother's repetitive attempts at pregnancy. Doris then had to endure herself centeredness -- a residual trauma of her failed pregnancies -- and her narcissism, which prevented her from being the mother Doris needed. I
n reunion, Doris was welcomed by some of her extended family, but chose to try to meet her birth mother face to face, to hopefully avoid being rejected.
You will be stunned by the outcome of Doris's trip to her birth mother's home and empowered by how she focuses on the positivity of her experience. This is Doris his journey.
ReckoningWithThePrimalWound
Who Am I Really?
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231 - Dr. Bruce D. Perry, "What Happened To You?"
When a child is in need of support to help navigate the traumatic experiences in their lives. Renowned psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and leading authority on childhood trauma Dr. Bruce D. Perry is the man to call.
Dr. Perry has researched childhood trauma and its impact on brain development and behavior throughout his decades, long distinguished career. Perry's dedication to understanding and addressing the effects of trauma on individuals, families, and communities has played a pivotal role In advancing our understanding of trauma informed care and resilience, building strategies.
Dr. Perry is the co-author of the New York Times #1 best seller. "What Happened To You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing," co-authored with none other than Oprah Winfrey. You're about to hear Dr. Perry delve into the transformative power of understanding trauma, our ability to reprogram our brains, and a wonderful explanation of a theory a lot of adoptees have relied on for healing.
It is my pleasure to present to you my conversation with Dr. Bruce D. Perry.
Neurosequential.com
Who Am I Really?
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Customer Reviews
Love this!
Great podcast! Love real people with real stories. Damon is a great host!
My Thanks
When I was 18 my adoptive mother handed me my adoption papers and said they belonged to me. It was 1983 and the laws where I lived prevented me from getting information that would lead me to my birth mother. I have been searching for birth family ever since. In 2018, with the encouragement of my immediate family, I decided to put more effort into finding my birth family and hopefully my identity in the process. I am currently in reunion with my maternal birth family. I continue to search for my paternal side. The stories of others you engage with on your podcast have helped me through my search and reunion while offering ideas for me to try along the way. I learned on one of your episodes that you had also had written your memoir. I jumped over to Audible and downloaded it immediately. I have now listened to your book, thank you for sharing your story. I am an avid listener - good luck with the future success of your podcast.
Mimi